Mainland undergraduates Greens Yang, Hedy Chen and Eloise Xue highlight the benefits of UTM’s practical courses, internship opportunities, and teaching conducted in English. They assert that these features enhance students’ language and academic skills, preparing them for successful professional careers or postgraduate studies
As the academic year 2023/2024 draws to a close, scores of UTM undergraduate students from Mainland China are preparing to go back to their respective homes for a well-deserved summer break. Even when carrying bulging suitcases and bags of books, these students say their burden is lightened by fond memories of their academic journey at UTM so far.
Student Greens Yang Tianze describes his time at UTM as transformative, academically enriching, and culturally immersive. The University “can hone not only your language skills but also your academic skills to a great extent,” he says, expressing a sentiment shared by many of his peers.
He points out that many bachelor’s degree programmes at UTM are taught in English, which can be particularly helpful for those planning to pursue postgraduate studies abroad.
Greens, who left the bustling streets of Shanghai for an education at UTM, is now completing his third year of a Bachelor of Science in Cultural and Heritage Management. He is deeply immersed in his field of studies, and currently serves as the president of the Cultural Heritage Club, affiliated with the UTM Student Club.
He chose to pursue his bachelor’s degree in Macao as a place that “embraces cultural diversity and openness”.
He also praises UTM for the strong links it maintains with organisations across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as well as in Mainland China in general, and beyond. “Students are encouraged to undertake their internships outside Macao,” he says.
In the second semester of the academic year now ending, Greens returned to his hometown for his six-month curricular internship. He did the internship with WHITRAP Shanghai, also known as the World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region, a UNESCO-linked non-profit organisation specialising in the field of heritage conservation.
Greens encourages other young people from Mainland China to consider enrolling at UTM. “Studying in Macao is a great chance to explore a fresh cultural environment, especially for those from far away,” he explains, describing the cultural exploration as beneficial for personal development.
Long-lasting memories
Hedy Chen Xiaozhang is from Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong, the Mainland province neighbouring Macao. She is graduating this summer from UTM with a Bachelor of Science in Tourism Retail and Marketing Management. Hedy says studying at the University gave her access to numerous educational experiences, including a curricular internship with local resort operator Wynn Macau Ltd and an exchange programme at East China Normal University, in Shanghai.
“I believe UTM is one of the top higher education institutions in the field of tourism,” Hedy says. “It provided me with the best platform to understand and learn about tourism-related topics.”
She highlights the role of UTM’s iRetail Lab as an educational tool. It is a practical-education platform offering University students a real-life setting to explore branding and marketing management practices. iRetail Lab’s collaborators include local designers and retail brands that feature their products there.
Undergraduates can “really learn a lot” from their experience of the iRetail Lab, Hedy says. During her time at UTM, she was part of a student team providing support to the lab’s operations. “I realised very clearly that this would be a great opportunity to hone my own abilities.”
Hedy stresses it is UTM’s people that make the place special. “Everyone is willing to lend a hand, willing to provide help, willing to give advice,” she says. “My memories of UTM will never fade,” Hedy adds. “I will always be grateful.”
‘Rich and colourful’ study life
Eloise Xue Qingyuan arrived at UTM from Beijing only last summer, to study on the Hotel Management Bachelor’s Degree Programme. But like the two senior students, Greens and Hedy, she quickly fell in love with the University’s “rich and colourful” study environment.
She highlights Macao’s “diverse culture” and “international” community. “In Macao, you can learn about a completely different lifestyle, meet people from all over the world, and even switch between multiple languages freely” during a conversation, she says. “These experiences will enhance students’ horizons and become a great advantage in a professional career.”
Eloise underscores UTM’s “practical education philosophy” and “excellent academic style”, which has granted the University prominence in international higher education rankings.
Additionally, being at UTM has given her the chance to learn a new language: Portuguese. “As far as China is concerned, the most authentic place to learn Portuguese is Macao,” she says. “I always wanted to learn a new language, and after coming to UTM, I finally realised that wish.”
Eloise says the Hotel Management programme has been equipping her with the “most cutting-edge knowledge and skills” in the field of hospitality, while providing her with opportunities to put these into practice, be it at the Pousada de Mong-Há Educational Hotel or in the Educational Restaurant.
“In terms of learning, there are very friendly and professional scholars, students from all over the world, first-class teaching facilities, and a variety of teaching modes: this will provide you with the best companionship and support on the road to study,” Eloise sums up.
Editor: UTM Public Relations Team
